Four exciting second-round matches are scheduled on day four at the ATP Almaty Open. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match on the slate on what should be an entertaining day of tennis in Kazakhstan. But who will advance?
ATP Almaty Day 4 Predictions
Luciano Darderi vs Shintaro Mochizuki
Head-to-head: first meeting
Shintaro Mochizuki avenged last week’s loss to Arthur Cazaux with a great performance in the first round. He is on the verge of breaking inside the top 100 for the first time, and another win would most certainly guarantee that. His returning skills and anticipation can trouble Luciano Darderi, who will play his first match at the Almaty Open. The Italian player will start as a slight favourite, but this match could go either way.
Prediction: Darderi in 3
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Alex Michelsen vs Aleksandar Vukic
Head-to-head: first meeting
Alex Michelsen got a much-needed win in the first round to break his five-match losing streak. He played at a solid level and stayed composed throughout the match. However, Michelsen wasn’t put to the test enough because his opponent was compromised and unable to play at his best. Aleksandar Vukic will be a far tougher test as Vukic enjoys these conditions. It would npt be a surprise for this to be a close match but Vukic should prevail in the end.
Prediction: Vukic in 3
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Karen Khachanov vs Jan-Lennard Struff
Head-to-Head: Khachanov 3-1 Struff
Defending champion Karen Khachanov arrives in Almaty after a terrible run of form. He is on a three-match losing streak and will look to improve his performance this week, as he did here last year. Jan-Lennard Struff came back from a set down to beat Mackenzie McDonald in the first round. The German did a good job behind his second serve and used his net play to his advantage. Khachanov leads the head-to-head, but Struff won their only meeting on indoor hard courts. The Russian must play at his best to avoid an early exit.
Prediction: Khachanov in 3
Daniil Medvedev vs Adam Walton
Head-to-head: Medvedev 0-1 Walton
Daniil Medvedev looks to be moving in the right direction with his new coach and showed some flashes of his best tennis last week in Shanghai. He is playing here for the first time, and his game is well-suited to these low-bouncing indoor conditions. Adam Walton overcame a difficult first-round battle against Tristan Schoolkate and will aim to defeat Medvedev for the second time this season. However, the conditions here are different from those in Cincinnati. Medvedev should be well-placed to avenge that loss.
Prediction: Medvedev in 3
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
